Homesteaders

[OrganicFarmWife]

I have another question. While we were gone my dd tossed out some potatoes, a yam and some onions. What would you do with these?  I have thought to pull them from the compost pile and plant them. 

I would plant them

 

[rancher hicks]

I personally would rotate onions and garlic to a different bed every year. There is a mold or mildew that builds up in the soil and will harm the next crop. Plus they eat up a certain nutrient that is better if rotated to a different bed/box so it has a chance to rebuild back up.

I have been rotating them to new beds each year. Though as you see I've missed some bulbs. Are there crops that I should not rotate them with?

wait to harvest until the lower leaves are brown.
.the number of leaves tell how many cloves and usually the stalk does give a size indication.
you could plant the sprouts...green garlic is good ..like green onions..but mine never made much of a bulb from a spring planting.
Best to rotate, but I have added compost and manure ..they are heavy feeders
.http://awaytogarden.com/growing-and-storing-a-year-of-garlic/

Will do. Generally I add more compost and this year did get some horse manure.

Is there anything I should not rotate to a previous tomato bed?

 

[Molpet]

I have another question. While we were gone my dd tossed out some potatoes, a yam and some onions. What would you do with these? I have thought to pull them from the compost pile and plant them.

I would give them a try if you have room

 

[rancher hicks]

I've been cleaning and redoing my original raised beds as they've rotten and the entire thing needs cleaning up. Point, I'll have some raised beds to use. I purchased some composite boards years ago and will be using them.

I also need to put in a new compost pile as one is nearly empty and other is covered over with black plastic to cook this year. I think three or more compost beds are good since while one is being used the others will be cooking.

 

[Molpet]

I have been rotating them to new beds each year. Though as you see I've missed some bulbs. Are there crops that I should not rotate them with?

Will do. Generally I add more compost and this year did get some horse manure.

Is there anything I should not rotate to a previous tomato bed?

tomatoes, pepper and potatoes are the same family, onions garlic and leeks are the same family, cabbage kale broccoli , cauliflower are Family usually you rotate families .

ETA list of crop families http://www.groworganic.com/organic-...guide-to-vegetable-families-for-crop-rotation

 

[rancher hicks]

Are there any Urban Homesteaders from Florida on this board? I can only garden a very small section and am not allowed animals in this community so hope to relocate. I can, bake and make soap,salves and such. Wanting to share experiences.

While we're not from FL we'd still like you to hang around. There are some great "Urban Homesteading" books. Check your local public library. Also look for a "Square Foot" gardening book. You'd be surprised what you can grow in a small amount of space.

As for animals relocating might be good if you can. I do recall watching a Nova or Nature or some other program that had a segment on Feral chickens in FL. Maybe you can snag some of them?

 

[spurrer]

Your pictures are beautiful. Is this where you live?

 

[rancher hicks]

Your pictures are beautiful. Is this where you live?

If you're talking to me. No. My son is stationed in Alaska. We were visiting. Now I do like Alabama. Not Alaska. It just did not move me they way Alabama did. He was there for three or four years.

I'm in NYS. We have mountains too but not everywhere you look like Alaska. Alaska was built by volcanoes. They have more volcanoes than anywhere. I do have a friend on here who lives in Sterling. I did not get to meet her. Maybe next time.

 

[nanasacres]

While we're not from FL we'd still like you to hang around. There are some great "Urban Homesteading" books. Check your local public library. Also look for a "Square Foot" gardening book. You'd be surprised what you can grow in a small amount of space. 

As for animals relocating might be good if you can. I do recall watching a Nova or Nature or some other program that had a segment on Feral chickens in FL. Maybe you can snag some of them? 

Thanks for the great suggestions. I'm familiar with square foot gardening from way back. I have been preparing myself for our move by researching and joining wonderful boards like BYC. You are correct. In fact, Tampa, Florida's feral chickens are protected! Lol.

 

[duluthralphie]

I would give them a try if you have room

I have a question also, if while removing the head of a chicken, who is soon to become soup, you close your eyes.... Do you save the stubs or the nubs first?

I bet some have no idea why I would ask that of you......